Back to News INDIANA SOCCER, INDY 11 SOCCER FOUNDATION & INDIANA FUTSAL PROVIDE ASSIST ON NEW FUTSAL COURT AT ARSENAL TECH HS August 24, 2016 04:27 PM Youth in Indianapolis have a new play space to call their own at Arsenal Technical High School thanks in part to Indiana Soccer, Indy Eleven Soccer Foundation and Indiana Futsal, who have partnered with Mondelez International, the Kroger Family of Stores and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for a grant that resulted in the newest community-use futsal court in the Circle City. Indy Eleven Soccer Foundation’s contribution helped to fulfill the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s latest “Add More Play in Your Day” program grant, enabling the partner organizations to install an acrylic futsal court that provides a safe place for children in the community to play. Indy Eleven players Gerardo Torrado and Nicki Paterson helped to commemorate today’s Grand Opening festivities by serving as ceremonial coaches for the first children to take to the court. “The Arsenal Tech Futsal Court project is an example of what can happen when community partners come together to make a real difference,” said Indy Eleven Soccer Foundation chairman Ersal Ozdemir. “This court will be the first of many Indy Eleven Soccer Foundation will look to help build across the State of Indiana, and we would like to thank the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Indiana Soccer, Indiana Futsal, Kroger and Mondelez International for their help in making it happen.” The Arsenal Tech Futsal Court project marks the first grant issued by the recently-launched Indy Eleven Soccer Foundation, beginning in earnest its mission to provide Indiana’s youth with positive experiences by supporting educational, soccer and other athletic programs and facilities. Prior to its foundation’s formation, Indy Eleven last May teamed with Indiana Soccer, the Indiana Soccer Foundation, Indy Parks, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, S.C.O.R.E and Big Car Collaborative to turn under-used tennis courts at Rhodius Park into the city park system’s first futsal court for community use. Located just north of Chase Legacy Center, near several other schools and a community center, this new 7,200-square-foot pitch transforms an area that was last used as a construction staging area for Lucas Oil Field into a safe place for children to play, learn and grow. Designed to last up to 10 years, the mini-pitch features a new surface, new goals, fencing and more. “In Indianapolis and across the country, children face an acute shortage of safe places to play largely because there isn’t enough space to create them or funding to maintain them,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation. “We are thrilled to provide a quality playing surface for kids that will not only transform children’s lives, but also the look and feel of their neighborhood.” The Add More Play in Your Day program also allowed the partners to rehab additional grass soccer fields across the nation. “In order to provide more opportunity for all children, the Kroger Family of Stores was proud to work with Mondelez International to create a custom ‘Add More Play in Your Day’ shopper program, which ultimately provided children across the nation with more safe places to play,” added Keith Dailey, Kroger’s Director of External Communications. Check out the contruction of the court in fast forward mode. Arsenal Tech Futsal Court LIVE WITH GOALS